Image File Types

JPEG Files

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/file-types/image/raster/jpeg-file.html

Best Use:

• Online photos or images without transparent elements

Pros:

• Most universally recognized — compatible with most browsers, software, and apps

• Loads faster on websites

• Great for photographs

• Usually provides more accurate colors

• Smaller file size while still retaining detail

Cons:

• Lossy file type instead of lossless file type, so a loss in quality can occur each time it is opened/saved

• Doesn’t support transparent backgrounds

PNG Files

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/file-types/image/raster/png-file.html

Best Use:

• Web graphics with sharp edges, lots of figures, and transparent elements

Pros:

• Supports transparent backgrounds

• Great for simple graphics with fewer colors than a photo

• Sometimes, files can be smaller than a jpg if it is a graphic element with only a few solid colors

• Can be edited/saved unlimited times without losing any quality since they use less compression

Cons:

• Files are bigger since they retain a lot more information

• Slower loading times when viewing online

SVG Files

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/file-types/image/vector/svg-file.html

Best Use:

• Web graphics — icons, logos, illustrations, and infographics

Pros:

• Always maintain their resolution — no matter how large or small you make them

• Basic SVG files are often smaller than most other images.

• Screen readers can scan any words contained in SVG images

Cons:

• Lack of pixels makes displaying high-quality digital photos difficult

  • JPGs are generally better for detailed photographs

TIFF Files

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/file-types/image/raster/tiff-file.html

Best Use:

• Extremely Large Prints (e.g. billboards)

• Storing high-quality photographs and high-resolution scans locally on your machine

• Container file to store multiple lower quality jpg files within the same tiff file

Pros:

• Similar to a PNG, they have lossless compression and don’t lose quality when edited/saved

• Support transparent backgrounds in images/graphics

• Store extra information such as additional layers, which can be opened in Photoshop

Cons:

• Poor choice for websites; can slow a website’s loading speed

  • Lighter file formats, like JPG, might be more useful for online images

• Detail and resolution lead to quite large files

• Take up more storage space

• Their size makes them difficult to share

Related Articles

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  Alternative (Alt) Text: How-to Guide (eCampus Online Navigator)
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